Well head



J. J. SANTIAGO WELL HEAD Nov. 7, 1933.

Filed July 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ihm/Mar. JaffzesJamgu Nov.- 7, 1933. J. J. SANTIAGO WELL HEAD Filed July 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 7, 193

UNITED STATES PAT OFFICE A WELL HEAD Application July 20, 1929. Serial No. 379,779

lll Claims. (Cl. 285-22) This invention has to do with Well circulating and cementing heads generally characterized as comprising a capped body adapted to be secured to the upper end of the well pipe or casing and having an inlet through which circulating fluid or cement is pumped into the well, the invention being particularly directed to certain improvements and additive features over the head comprising the subject matter of a copending application on Circulating head, Ser. No. 262,209, filed March 16, 1928, by Lloyd A. Parker.

The well head disclosed in the referred application may be described generally as being of a type in which the body of the head is adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of a well pipe, there being 'pipe gripping elements mounted on the body and adapted to engage the outside of the pipe to prevent rela- 2@ tive upward movement of the head. There is also mounted on the body of the head means for releasing the gripping elements from the pipe comprising `a vertically movable lifting ring adapted to lift the wedge elements to release them from gripping engagement with the pipe. Fluid leakage between the head and the pipe is prevented by means of a pressure actuated packing ring clamped* within the body and adapted to engage the outside of the pipe. As set forth in my copending application, the construction and operation of the type of head disclosed therein is such as to render it quickly and easily attachable'or detachable from the well casing, to the end that well cementing and circulating fluid pumping operations may be greatly expedited.

The present type of head in addition to embodying the above characteristics, has certain additional features relating particularly to improvements wherein provision is made for facilitating accurate centering of the head on the well pipe, and for mounting and retaining the wedge elements on the head and in the wedge ring; there also being provided a removable cap for the head and adapted to contain a plug for. lowering within the pipe during well cementing operations. The head is constructed in a manner such that it may be equipped interchangeably with a simple cap or closure'for the body above the circulatinguid or cement inlet, or with a cap containing a releasable plug.

The advantages derived from providing within the head a releasable plug for use in cementing operations will perhaps be more fully understood after a brief description of a typical or general procedure followed in cementing operations. To prepare the well for cementing, mudladen uid first is pumped into the well through the casing and allowed to circulate upward and around the casing to the ground level, the fluid clearing out the loose sediment and strata to provide space for the cement. After establishing satisfactory circulation in this mannen'the circulation is stopped and cement pumped into the well through the casing, the cement being discharged out the lower end thereof and thence forced upwardly into the annular space around the casing a distance in accordance with theI amount of cement pumped into the well. Usually a measured quantity of cement is used in this operation, and in order that it may be determined when all, or substantially all of the cement has been discharged into the well, a plug is inserted within the casing on top the cement charge and circulating fluid then pumped in on top the plug, the latter being forced downward until it is arrested by a stop at or near the lower end of the casing. Arresting of the plug is indicated by increased pressure of the circulating fluid being pumped. In order to retain the cement around the casing to permit its hardening, sufficient circulating iluid pressure is maintained against the plug to prevent the cement displacing it upwardly within the casing. vAfter setting of the cement, the plug and whatever cementthat may harden in the bottom of the casing may be drilled through and drilling operations then resumed.

As previously mentioned, the present type of Well head may comprise a cap within which a plug is releasably held, the plug being positioned above the circulation opening, so as not to interfere with the initial operation, preparatory to cementing, of circulating the well and the subsequent introduction of the cement. After the cement has been pumped into the casing, instead of having to remove the head to introduce the plug on top the cement, by using the present head it is but necessary to release the plug by a simple adjustment to permit it to drop within the casing, whereupon pumping of the circulating fluid is resumed to force the plug downward. Thus the initial circulating operation followed by the introduction of the cement, plug, and the nal introduction of the circulating uid to force the plug downwardly may be carried out without interruption or without necessitating the removal of the plug containing head.

The invention will b e understood most readily and clearly from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments thereof, reference being had throughout the description to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view showing the circulating head provided with a plug containing cap, certain parts of the head being shown broken away and in section to illustrate the construction most clearly; f

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a view generally similar to Fig. l showing a simple form `of cap;

Fig. 4 is generally similar to Fig. 3 but showing the wedge elements in changed position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged illustration of one of the wedge ball carrying slots in the wedge ring as viewed from the interior thereof,.

In the drawings numeral 10 indicates the upper portion of the body of the head which is preferably shaped to provide an outwardly spreading and depending skirt portion 10a, the latter extending downwardly and around the upper portion of the collar 12 on the well pipe 1l. The body may be threaded within its upper end as at 13 to receive a cap which may be of the plug carrying type l4 illustrated in Fig. 1, or of the simplified form 15 shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The joint between the cap and body 10 may be rendered uid tight by forming a flange 16 on the lower end of the cap, a ringA gasket 17 being carried in the flange and adapted to seat on the annular knife edge 18 mounted on the upper end ofthe body. The usual circulating uid or cement inlets 18, 18a are formed in the body, preferably below the lower end of the cap.

'In order to enable accurate centering of the head on the pipe, I provide an inner depending skirt 20 threaded at 21 into the lower interior of the body, the skirt having an annular flange 20a which rests upon the upper end of the collar 12 when the head is in position thereon. Although the skirt 2O may be formed integral with the cap, for purposes of manufacture and assembly it vis preferred that these parts be made separately. In order to provide a sufcient threaded length of the skirtfor connection with the body, openings 22 are formed in the skirt and brought to register'with the inlets 18 and 18a. It will be noted that. the outer surface 20h of the skirtr is tapered substantially in conformity with the taper of the threads within the collar in order that the skirt may be caused to fit exactly within and bear against the threaded interior of the collar, flange 20a, however, supporting the weight of the head to prevent the skirt frombecoming wedged within the collar. In the type of y'head described in the previously referred copending application, Serial No. 262,209, I have provided a centering ring within the head and adapted to engage the upper and outer edge of the collar to centrally position the head thereon and prevent its tilting. The advantages of centering the head relative to the interior` instead of the exterior of the collar as in the present instance will be readilyappreciated sinc theA usual pipe couplings or collars may vary somewhat in external diameter, whereas the diameter of their threaded interiors is standardized and accurately uniform for all fittings of given size. Also it will be noted that by virtue of having considerable length of the skirt in engagement with the threaded-.interior of the collar, appreciable tilting of the head is pref vented, to obvious advantage in enabling the wedge elements, hereinafter described, to be brought into uniform wedging and gripping engagement with the collar around its periphery.

A wedge ring 25 is confined between the lower end of the body portion 10a and the lower annulus 26 by means of bolts 27. Ring 26 may be considered as essentially a portion of the body, the latter therefore comprising the upper skirted portion 10, 10a. and the lower annulus 26. Fluid leakage between the head and the pipe is prevented by means of the pressure actuated packing ring 28 clamped between body and a clamping ring 30, the latter being pressed tightly against the packing by virtue of its engagement with the upper raised surface 25a of the wedge ring. The body has a suitable amount of clearance at 31 from the collar to enable the fiuid pressure within the pipe to act upon the upstanding lip 28a formed on the packing ring, the lip being effectively pressed into engagement with the exterior of the collar to prevent uid leakage between the collar and the body of the head. y

A plurality of radially inclined slots 33 are formed Within and around the inner periphery of the wedge .ring 25, each of the slots containing a verticallymovable wedge ball 34. As shown particularly in Figs. 5 and 6 the slots 33 are shaped to provide the inclined wedge faces 32, the depth ofthe slots at their upper ends being such that the balls in their raised positions 34a arecontained entirely within the slots. In their lower positions 34h however, the balls protrude through the vertical openings 36 in the inner face 37 of the wedge ring sufficiently far to come into engagement with the o'utside of the collar. ,The ball carrying portions'33a of slots 33 preferably though not necessarily are cylindric in shape to conform, with slight clearance, with the circumference of the wedge balls. Each inclined ball carrying slot portion 33a communicates with the Wedge ring interior through the restricted opening 36, the Width of which is less than the diameter of the wedge ball. The lip portions 36a formed by the sides of the opening 36 thus prevent the balls from being removed or from dropping out of the slots when the head is assembled.

A vertically movable wedge lifting ring 40 is supported on a vertically movable and rotatable operating ring 41, the engagement between these rings being such as to permit their free relative rotational movement. 'Ihe operating ring 41 has a tubular extension 42 projecting radially outward within a slot 43 formed in the lower body portion 26. jThe operating ring may be provided with one or more of the radial projections 42, a corresponding number of slots 43 being formed in the annulus 46. It will be noted that slot 43 has an inclined portion 43a continuing at its upper end in the horizontal portion 43h, the vertical extent of the slot determining the range of vertical movement of the operating and lifting rings. The operating ring is actuated by means of a handle, not shown, inserted within the socket 45 inthe tubular projection 42, and by pulling the handle horizontally the projection is caused to ride in the slot and to engage, by cam action, the sides of the slot to cause ring 41 to be raised or lowered in accordance with the movement `of the handle. In the uppermostposition of the operating ring, projection 42 perches in the horizontal slot portion 43h thereby holding the ring in raised position. As shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2 the lifting ring 40 has a plurality of upstanding and circumferentially spaced projections or teeth 40a, one for each of the wedge ring slots 33, the size and spacing of the teeth being such that they are conned for verticalmovement within the wedge ring slots. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the upper ends of the lifting ring teeth 40a are adapted to engage and lift the wedge balls 34 to raised positions within the slots, and to such positions that the balls are moved from engagement with the pipe or collar 12. When the lifting ring is lowered to the position of Fig. 4, the teeth are lowered from supporting engagement with the balls to permit the latter to come into engagement with the pipe, the upper ends of the teeth, however, remaining Within the lower interior of the slots. Thus the lifting ring is conned in all positions against rotational movement with the operating ring by virtue of the projection of teeth 40a. within the wedge ring slots.

The head in the forms shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is provided with a simple cap or closure 15 for the upper end of the body, the cap having an integral eyelet 15a by means of which attachment is made to the head for applying or removing it from the casing. The form of cap shown in Fig. 1, however, is elongated suflciently to contain the removable plug 50 which may be of any suitable size and shape. The outer diameter of the typical form of plug shown is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the cap and skirt 20, which in turn is slightly less than the internal diameter of the casing 11. In this embodiment the head is supported by bails 54 extending through eyelets 55 on the top of the cap. The plug is releasably supported in the cap by means of bolts or stops 51 extending through packing glands 52, knurled caps 53 being threaded on the outside of the packing glands. Caps 53 may be uns'crewed when it is desired to pull the stops outward to release the plug and to permit its lowering into the casing. Should the plug tend to lodge within the cap, it may be forced downward by means of a push rod 56 extending through packing gland 57 in the top of the cap, the rod normally being prevented from dropping within the cap by means of cotter key 58. It will be noted that by virtue of skirt 20 depending within the collar, a smooth internal surface is provided throughout the head, thereby precluding any possibility of the plug becoming lodged due to irregularities within the head or within the pipe collar.

In applying the head to the casing, the op- @rating ring rst is turned to the position shown in Fig. 1 to retain the wedge balls in raised position and thereby to permit free lowering of the head around the pipe. As previously explained, the head is readily centered on the collarby virtue of the engagement of skirt 20 with its interior. When the head is in position, the operating ring may then be turned to lower the lifting ring 40 to enable the wedge balls to come into engagement with the outside of the collar. Upon subsequent upward movement of the head,

whether it be mechanically raised or forced up' ward by pressure within the casing, the balls are brought into tight wedging engagement between the casing and the inclined groove faces" 32. It may be stated that the greater the force tending to lift the head from the casing, the

head or the like toya well pipe, comprising a greater will be the wedging effect of the balls, since upon upward movement of the headthe tendency is for the balls to roll relatively Ifurther, down the inclined groove faces and to become wedged correspondingly tighter between the groove faces and the casing. Thus it is assured that for extremely high pressures within the casing, the head will be securely retained thereon, and due to the pressure actuated packing ring 28, a seal against uid leakage between the head and casing is maintained. A reverse procedure is followed in releasing the head from the pipe color, that is, the operating ring is turned so as to elevate the balls and to release their gripping engagement with the casing.

It will be understood the drawings and description are to be considered merely as illustrative of and not restrictive on the broader claims appended hereto, for various changes in design, structure and arrangement may be made without departing from the 4, spirit and scope of said claims.

I claim:

1. An attachment for releasably connecting a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe,- pipe gripping means mounted on'the body and adapted to engage the outside of the pipe to prevent relative upward movement of said body, a skirt having its upper end screw threaded'into said body and adapted to depend within and engage the inside of the pipe to center the body thereon, and an annular flange on the exterior of said skirt and adapted to engage the upper end of the pipe;

2. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, a wedge ring mounted on the body and adapted to surround the pipe, relatively vertically movable wedge members coacting with the wedge ring to wedge and grip the pipe on relative upward movement of the body, said wedge members being. supported in their lowermost positions on the wedge ring when the head is disconnected from the pipe, packing means within the body and adapted to surround said pipe, and means mounted on the body and operable to lift the Wedge members to release them from the pipe. p

3. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe,I a Wedge ring..Y mounted on the body and adapted to surround the pipe, said wedge ring having a plurality o f radially inclined slots, vertically movable wedge balls in the slots coacting with the wedge ring to wedge and grip the pipe upon relative upward movement of the body, said balls being supported in their lowermost positions by the Wedge ring when the head is disconnected from the pipe, packing means within said body and adaptedto surround the pipe, and means mounted on the body and operable to lift said wedge balls to release them .140 from the pipe.

4. An attachment for releasably connectinga head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, a wedge ring mounted on the body and adapted to surround the pipe, said wedge ring having a pluralitygof radially and inwardly inclined slots, vertically movable Wedge belkin the slots coacting with the wedge ring to w .dge and\grip the pipe upon relative upward movement of the body, said slots being restricted to prevent removal of the balls, packing means between the body and said pipe, a vertically movable lifting ring mounted on the body below said wedge ring and having a plurality of projections adapted to extend upwardly within said slots to liftthe wedge balls from engagement with the r pipe, and means for operating the lifting ring.

5; Ari attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, relatively vertically movable wedge members mounted Within the body and adapted to wedge and grip the pipe on relative upward movement of the body, a vertically movable lifting ring mounted within the body and adapted to lift said wedge members to release them from engagement with the pipe, and a vertically movable operating ring engaging said lifting ring and having a projection on its periphery extending within an inclined slot in the body, said operating ring being rotatable to actuate the lifting ring.

6. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, a wedge ring mounted 0n the body` and adapted to surround thepipe, said wedge ring having a plurality of radially and inwardly inclined slots, vertically movable Wedge balls-in the slots coacting with the Wedge ring to wedge and grip the pipe upon` relative'u'pward movement of the body, a vertically movable ring being rotatable to actuate the lifting ring.y

'7. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body` adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of a well pipe, said body comprising an upper skirt section spaced about the outside of the pipe and a lower section below said skirt, a wedge ring carried between said body sections, relatively vertically movable wedge members coacting with the wedge ring to wedge and grip the pipe on relative upward movement of the body, a packing ring Within the body above said wedge ring and adapted to engage the pipe, and a pair of relatively rotatable rings mounted on said lower section and operable to lift said Wedge members to release them from the .pipe.

8. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a bodyv adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, a wedge ring mounted on the body and adapted to surround the pipe, said wedge ring having a plurality of radially and inwardly inclined slots, vertically movable Wedge balls in the slots coacting with the wedge ring to Wedge and grip the pipe upon relative up- Ward movement of the body, packing means between the body and said pipe, a vertically movable, non-rotatable lifting ring mounted on the body below said wedge ring and having a plurality of projections adapted to extend upwardly Within said slots to lift the Qwedge balls from engagement with the pipe, and means for operating the lifting ring.

9. An attachment for releasably connecting a well head to a pipe comprising, a body, a pli'- f rality of wedge balls carried within said body and adapted to engage and grip the pipe upon application of the body thereto, means carried on the body for releasing said balls from engagement withthe pipe, and means preventing said balls from dropping from the body when the latter is disconnected from the pipe.

l0. An attachment for releasably connectingYV a head or the like to a pipe comprising, a body, a plurality of pipe gripping balls carried within a member in the body having ball receiving spaces, said balls projecting from said spaces to engage and grip the pipe upon application of the body thereto, and said spaces being restricted to prevent said balls from dropping from the body when the latter is disconnected from the pipe.

11.y An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a pipe comprising, a body, a plurality'of wedge balls carried within radially and inwardly inclined slots, within the body, said balls projecting from said slots toengage and grip the pipe upon application of` the body thereto, and said slots being restricted to prevent said balls from dropping from the body when the latter is disconnected from the pipe. 

